Seahawks let free-agent DT Jason Jones sign with Detroit Lions

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The Seahawks have passed up on the opportunity to re-sign free-agent defensive tackle Jason Jones, who has signed a deal with the Detroit Lions, his agent said Wednesday.

Jones was on a one-year contract with Seattle for 2012, when he had three sacks and 10 total tackles in 12 games before going on the injured reserve and having surgery for a lingering knee injury. His agent, Mike McCartney, tweeted on Wednesday that Jones is headed to Detroit, and the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah tweeted that Jones’ deal is $9.5 million for three years.

With Jones now gone, the Seahawks have even more of a pressing need for defensive linemen, particularly pass-rushers. Defensive end Chris Clemons is still questionable for next season after suffering an ACL tear during Seattle’s first-round playoff game at Washington, and they can’t just rely on their 2012 first-round draft pick, DE Bruce Irvin — though he did lead all NFL rookies with eight sacks last season.

Jones was a second-round pick for the Titans in the 2008 NFL Draft, and the Seahawks picked him up during last offseason’s free-agency. In his five pro seasons — four in Tennessee and one in Seattle — Jones has 18.5 sacks, 121 total tackles and seven forced fumbles.